BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007  Main Prize Final: BBC National Orchestra of Wales conducted by Carlo Rizzi St David’s Hall, 5.00pm 17.6.2006 (ED)

For each round of both competitions, Evan Dickerson offers his impressions of the competitors, their repertoire and the buzz from the audience. Here is his report on the final of  the Main Prize competition.

AUSTRALIA: Miranda Keys Soprano Born 1974

R Strauss:  Frühling (4 Letzte Lieder, No 1)
Smetana: Och, jaký zal!...Ten lásky sen (The Bartered Bride)
Beethoven: Abscheulicher! wo eilst du hin? (Fidelio)

After a somewhat tentative start in the Strauss, which also included some edgy intonation, the Smetana presented Miranda Keys in the best light: impassioned, full of self-belief in her abilities and capable of rising to the occasion. Despite the dramatic start of the Beethoven aria, it is for much of its duration on the strong side of lyric in character. Miranda Keys’ spinto soprano struggled somewhat to successfully unify both extremes within the writing.

General comments about the performer

A brave stab at establishing herself at the start of the final largely left the audience, and me, unmoved. A shame.

HUNGARY: Levente Molnár Baritone Born 1983

Leoncavallo: Si può? si può? Signore! (Pagliacci)
Verdi :  O Carlo, ascolta...Io morrò (Don Carlo)
Mozart: Fin ch'han dal vino (Don Giovanni)
Verdi: È sogno? O realtà (Falstaff)

The Leoncavallo was a mistake in my opinion: too much was incorrectly characterised – where was the pathos and suffering that Tonio introduces? I never thought I’d write this about Molnár’s singing, but I found his Don Carlo somewhat lacking in vocal commitment, even though he sang with more style than during any of his previous concerts. His Mozart took us back to the anguished Molnár at the competition’s start almost, his forced laughter at the end sounding more menacing than exuberant. He’s clearly more comfortable in Ford’s aria from Falstaff, in which gradually built up the passion and emotions of the text to be a convincing conclusion.

General comments about the performer

Whatever you think about his singing you have to admit that Levente Molnár is a man of contradictions. Some are already calling him the “Budapest Bryn” of 2007. Give him five years or so, and many see him as unstoppable. Whatever his future, it’s not likely to be a dull one.

ENGLAND: Elizabeth Watts Soprano Born 1979

Handel: Amor è quel vento (Orlando)
Puccini: Oh! mio babbino caro (Gianni Schicchi)
Berlioz: Je vais le voir - Il me revient fidèle (Béatrice et Bénédict)

Undoubtedly helped by the light orchestration, Elizabeth Watts coped well with the florid demands of Handel’s style, only sounding pushed beyond her comfort zone on a few brief occasions. Her Puccini showed little originality of approach beyond what we had experienced already during the week. A soprano with a light touch hitting the notes well but not quite giving them enough conviction to project far beyond the stalls. Watts’ standardised facial expressions of batted eyelids and pouting lips were turned out yet again. The shimmering vocals carried across into the Berlioz too, with just as much still left wanting beneath their surface beauty.

General comments about the performer

I find Elizabeth Watts a difficult performer to whole-heartedly like. It took time, but I warmed to her as the winner of the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize. No such change of feelings here though I am afraid. Undeniably a pretty sound, but I’d like some emotional depth and commitment too. It could be that I am missing something about her though, as she certainly had supporters throughout the competition.

CHINA: Shen Yang  Bass-baritone Born 1984

Verdi: Studia il passo...Come dal ciel precipita (Macbeth)
Mozart: Mentre ti lascio, o figlia (K513)
Rakhmaninov: Aleko's Cavatina (Aleko)

Much of the feeling for the text in Banquo’s aria from Macbeth failed to bring much in the way of facial expression from Shen Yang, until the very end . Solidly voiced, he utilised his lower range with confidence in the Mozart. The Rakhmaniniov however brought home the thought that Shen Yang was a real contender for the top prize, with his careful yet not overcautious Russian, flexible tone and effortless portrayal of lonely desolation.

General comments about the performer

Yes, there are still things to work on – breath control can momentarily falter, for example – but he’s covered a lot of major areas of singing to date, with time enough to give attention to perfecting his art. Some commented that he seemed facially  – particularly after Molnár. 

CHILE: Maria Isabel Vera Mezzo Born 1977

Verdi: Stride la vampa! (Il trovatore)
Verdi:  Re dell'abisso - È lui! è lui! ne' palpiti (Un ballo in maschera)
Mascagni: Voi lo sapete, o mamma (Cavalleria Rusticana)
Verdi: O don fatale (Don Carlo)

Picking up the role of Azucena again following her earlier concert, Maria Isabel Vera made a big initial impression. Great smoky tone was employed in the Ballo aria. Mascagni taxed her a little in terms of finding the exact placing of the voice. Eboli’s big aria from Don Carlo failed in the last minutes to squarely hit the mark, her voice by now flagging rather under the strain required of it.

General comments about the performer

On paper a thrilling programme of mezzo-soprano barnstorming standards from the core repertoire in which Maria Isabel Vera should excel. In performance under the pressure of a competition final, all was not ideal. But she made her mark upon the audience nonetheless. A colourful and impressive career should await her.

The Buzz From the Audience

Several people were surprised at Levente Molnár’s showing this evening. Maria Isabel Vera had her supporters too. Streets ahead in the public poll, based on this evening’s performances, was Shen Yang.

Personal highlights of the Main Prize

It might sound strange but I really want to hear one particular opera in its entirety having heard various arias in performances that impressed during the competition. The work in question is Massenet’s Herodiade.

In terms of performers I would single out the contributions of Ante Jerkunica (Croatia), Dmitri Vargin (Uzbekistan) for his Elijah, David DQ Lee (Canada) for investing everything he approached with so much life, Mari Moriya for some sensational Mozart coloratura, Jacques Imbrailo for his stylish musicality in general, and, finally Maria Isabel Vera – surely she’s the mezzo-soprano find of the Competition.

The winner is…

Shen Yang, the 23-year-old bass baritone from China was crowned BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2007, to widespread and powerfully expressed acclaim amongst the audience. The winner receives £15,000 generously provided by Cardiff County Council, in addition to a trophy donated by Welsh Royal Crystal. He may also be offered high-profile engagements with both the BBC and Welsh National Opera.

Other award recipients include…

Each of the other singers in the Main Prize final received the Richard Lewis Award. The award of £2,500 for each recipient was made possible due to the support of the Richard Lewis Trust. Throughout both Competitions I have witnessed the very real interest that Elizabeth Muir-Lewis has in furthering the possibilities for young singers, whilst ensuring that Richard Lewis’ career and artistic legacy are remembered.

Jacques Imbrailo, the South African baritone, was awarded the Audience Prize, voted on by television viewers, online users and the audience in St David's Hall. The Audience Prize is worth £2,500 and is given in association with Visit Wales.

 

Evan Dickerson